Radar weekly: The latest from the Scottish music scene
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Scottish Album of the Year Award
The 20-strong longlist for the second annual Scottish Album of the Year Award was revealed last week, with a wide range of musicians from chart stars to cutting edge producers and folk artists represented.
(Here’s our news piece + Spotify playlist if you missed it.)
Advertisement
Hide AdIt was good to see so many acts who have graced Radar over the years, such as PAWS, Django Django, Admiral Fallow, Miaoux Miaoux, Dam Mantle and RM Hubbert, get the recognition that their albums deserve.
The inclusion of Emeli Sandé and Calvin Harris may have ruffled some feathers, but it has to be said that the rest of the longlist could benefit from the wider exposure their presence attracts to this still-fledgling prize.
Every weekday a different nominated album will be streaming on the SAY Award website, and you can also catch up on all five of the previous week’s featured albums at the weekend. Today it’s the turn of Meursault, with Something For The Weakened.
Anyone can then vote for the album they want on to the shortlist, which will be announced on May 30. The winner will then be revealed at the SAY Award ceremony which takes place on June 20 at the Barrowland in Glasgow.
Festival updates
There has been another flurry of festival news this week.
• The Belladrum festival has added Seasick Steve, Pigeon Detectives, Julie Fowlis, Andy Burrows, Meursault, PAWS, Washington Irving, The LaFontaines, Tich and Nick Mulvey to its line-up. It takes place at Beauly in Inverness-shire on August 2 and 3, has already announced headliners James and Twin Atlantic, as well as acts like The Horrors, Noisettes, and Admiral Fallow.
• The big additions to T in the Park over the past week are undoubtedly Travis and Texas, who will both play the festival as they return from lengthy breaks. The other new additions are Johnny Marr, Hurts, James Skelly, Logic, AlunaGeorge, Laura Mvula, Jack Savoretti, Willy Mason, Foy Vance, Steve Mason, Milo Greene, DIIV, Deap Vally, Jagwar Ma, Ruen Brothers, MS MR, Brooke Candy and Josephine. T in the Park takes place between July 12-14 and tickets are still available.
Advertisement
Hide Ad• Wickerman has announced the line-up for its dance village, with big names like Dave Clarke, Kissy Sell Out and Justin Robertson among the DJs keeping the party going into the wee small hours. More info
• Burns an’ a’ that! will play host to live music as part of the Weekend in the Park at Ayr’s Belleisle Park on May 25-26. There will be free shows from Rose Parade, Taylor and Leigh, Little Fire, SIIGA, Pronto Mama, Sketch, The Bluebells, Rose Room and The New Piccadillys, while Justin Currie and Rachel Sermanni play a ticketed gig on May 26. More info
Advertisement
Hide Ad• A reminder for anyone with a fondness for 8-bit electronica, aka Chiptune, that the annual Ultrachip returns to Edinburgh this weekend with two nights at the Banshee Labyrinth. Tickets are priced just £5 per night, running from 8pm – 3am. Check out the line-up on the official website.
New music
• Edinburgh band Discopolis have released the video for the Axwell mix of new song ‘Falling (Committed To Sparkle Motion)’, which makes good use of a wintry Scottish landscape. The song is available to pre-order on iTunes, and the trio, who Radar featured in 2011, play the Big Day In event at Electric Circus in their hometown on Sunday (5 May)
• Panda Su has unveiled new song ‘MAPS’, which was released this week. Listen to it via SoundCloud now.
• Rob St John has a double A-side single out this week on Song by Toad Records. ‘Charcoal Black & the Bonny Grey/Shallow Brown’ is released tomorrow (May 1), featuring a Lancastrian song from the early 20th century, which follows the singer-songwriter’s recent work with the Folklore Tapes label in Manchester. Watch the live video which accompanies the release.
Gig picks
Death Grips
Tuesday 30 Apr @ SWG3, Glasgow, 7pm, £12.50
Washington Irving
Tuesday 30 Apr @ King Tuts, Glasgow, 8.30pm, £7
Electric Wonderland: Plum + Fiona Soe Paing
Thursday 2 May @ Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 7pm, £6
Love Music Hate Racism Benefit: Young Fathers+ Spook School+ Law
Thursday 2 May @ Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 8pm, £5
Savages
Thursday 2 May @ SWG3, Glasgow, 7pm, £9
Ultrachip 2013
Friday 2 & Saturday 3 May @ The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, 8pm – 3am, £5 per night
Curators + Cancel the Astronauts + Marionettes
Saturday 4 May @ Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 7pm, £5
The Deadline Shakes
Saturday 4 May @ Stereo, Glasgow, 7pm, £5
Collar Up
Saturday 4 May @ 13th Note Café, Glasgow, 8pm
Fat Goth
Saturday 4 May @ 20 Rocks, Dundee, 6pm, free
Siobhan Wilson
Saturday 4 May @ Cellar 35, Aberdeen, 8pm, £5
Advertisement
Hide AdBig Day In: Dutch Uncles, Discopolis, Jonnie Common, Errors (DJ set) + more
Sunday 5 May @ Electric Circus, Edinburgh, 2pm, £15
The Boy Who Trapped the Sun + Beerjacket + The Ramisco Maki Maki Rocking Horse
Monday 6 May @ King Tut’s, Glasgow, 8.30pm, £7
Find more gigs on WOW247.co.uk